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Your Style
You Look Horrible!
By Lauren Wuscher, IMAGEine U
Have you ever had a friend, significant other, co-worker, or
parent who seems to have no clue what they are doing when it comes to looking stylish or put together? You want to tell them to wake up and smell the BO stains on their old ratty T-shirt, but aren’t sure if they’d be offended by your remarks. If you want to get them to change their ways without being the bad guy (or girl), try these 3 things before you blurt out the awful truth:
1. Buy it
One of the easiest things you can do is to just buy them an article of clothing or an accessory and suggest that you think it would look good on them. Something to the effects of, “I found this shirt on sale and thought you would look so good in it.” If they put on something new and hear your positive feedback, it will trigger them to want to continue to try new things and hopefully improve their style. It’s a bonus if others also give them compliments (you might want to get your friends in on this). The more positive feedback someone gets, the more likely they will be to continue to dress well.
2. Suggest It
Not on gift giving terms with this person? Suggest going shopping together. It is there that you can try to influence their decisions by showing them items you like and getting them to try on new styles that would be flattering for their body type or personality. Make sure that it is fun and that you are not pushing them into feeling uncomfortable. When I take my clients out shopping, I let them try on things they are comfortable in, and also have them try things that they wouldn’t normally wear. Most of the time, once you get someone in the clothing, they will see how good it looks on them and agree. Not everyone can tell what things will look like on themselves by just looking at it on a hanger, which is why most people may actually shy away from things that could make them look great. If you don’t want to go shopping you could pass them
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clothing catalogues you receive and tell them they might like some of the stuff in them. Or forward websites that you like and suggest clothing that would look good on them. Bonus for you and them if it’s on sale!
3. Talk It Up
Find things about this person’s style that you do like and compliment it. If they wear something that they typically would not wear, compliment it or say, “I really like that shirt on you. You should wear more shirts like that.” Don’t overdo it thought because it can get a little repetitive. Try to compliment at least Friends don’t let friends dress once a week though - if they deserve it (for some like this... bad dressers, this might be hard to do). Good luck! Lauren Wuscher is President of IMAGEine U. where she a serves as a Personal Style Educator and Consultant, and Fashionista. Lauren has worked with major fashion companies including BCBG Max Azria and Nine West. Lauren is also the Philadelphia Budget Boutiques Expert for Examiner.com. Find out more about IMAGEine U at www.IMAGEineU.com.
January/February 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com